SZAKAS, Joseph R.
Niles, MI

Age 71, died peacefully at his home on Monday, January 17, 2005. He was born October 7, 1933, in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Joseph and Irma (Sass) Szakas. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1951. After he served his country honorably in the Korean War, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Western Michigan University, and continued on to complete a Masters Degree at The University of Notre Dame. He was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church and Niles Historical Society. On June 27, 1959, he married Evelyn Buiskool. They moved to Niles, Michigan, where Joe taught Western Civilization in the Niles School System. During his 35 years as a teacher, he touched the lives of many students. He had the honor of being asked several times to give the commencement address at the high school graduation ceremony. In addition to his position at the high school, he taught at Southwestern Michigan College, Lake Michigan College, and was employed as a patrolman by the Niles Police Department. Joe was an avid reader and one of his favorite pastimes was to sit in his chair with a pipe and a good book. He was a man of many talents - including woodworking, carving, and building dinosaurs! He enjoyed good conversation with friends, especially around the kitchen table with a cup of coffee. Joe treasured time spent with family and was a dedicated caregiver to his wife, Evelyn, who preceded him in death on May 22, 1996. Surviving are his children, Laura (Mark) Eiler of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Theresa (Amerigo) Marcelletti of Lawton, Michigan, Joseph (Kathleen) Szakas of Monmouth, Maine, and Thomas (Michelle) Szakas of Toledo, Ohio. He was a loving grandfather to Sam, Ben, Nicholas, Clara and Lydia. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 24, 2005 at First Presbyterian Church of Niles. Friends may call from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 23rd at the Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles. Memorials may be made to the Joseph Szakas Memorial Fund, c/o Halbritter Funeral Home, 615 East Main Street, Niles, MI 49120, for the eventual purchase of Niles High School Library Books pertaining to history.